On February 17th, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1) following House and Senate passage on February 13th. Over the past weeks and months, NEMA has been engaged in advocating provisions to stimulate the economy and assist our members. We have been successful on a number of fronts. The stimulus legislation contains significant tax, investment, and spending provisions impacting energy efficiency, Smart Grid, health information technology, and infrastructure projects. Click here for NEMA's 7-page summary of key provisions.

We will be working closely with Congress and the Administration to ensure provisions are implemented quickly and effectively so that their impact can be felt as soon as possible. Congress is also moving forward with separate legislation on energy policy, climate change, healthcare reform, and infrastructure, and NEMA is engaged in each of these legislative activities and in advising the new Administration.

We invite and welcome your recommendations and comments as we advocate policies for the electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturing industries.

Now that the stimulus has officially been signed into law, how will the funding for projects be distributed and how quickly will the United States begin to see job growth? During today's OnPoint, Jay Birnbaum, senior vice president and general counsel for CURRENT Group, a Smart-Grid technology company, discusses Smart-Grid funding in the stimulus.

02.23.09Future of Green Buildings Depends on Profitability
Figuring out a way to unite those forces was the theme of a Lipscomb University forum conducted Friday morning by the local chapter of Ed McMahon's employer, the Urban Land Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit that focuses on building greener.

02.22.09Energy Efficiency Not Just for New Homes
The National Association of Home Builders believes green building is not just for new construction and is taking the message to its members in remodeling.

02.21.09Bills Aimed at State Prioritizing, Contracting for Energy Efficiency
The Alaska Senate will consider bills to promote energy efficiency in state buildings. Legislation was introduced Friday that would create a system of prioritizing state facilities that need retrofitting and allow the state to contract with an energy services company to do the work.

02.20.09Obama Sees Houston as a Model for Energy Efficiency
President Obama told the nation's mayors at a White House meeting Friday that Houston's residential energy efficiency program could serve as a model for the nation, Houston Mayor Bill White said.

02.19.09ISO New England Releases Smart Grid Report
Holyoke, Ma.-based ISO New England Inc., the operator of the region's bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets, has released a report highlighting various efforts to develop and implement Smart Grid technologies.

Square D Manufacturing Facility Receives Top Plant Award
The Schneider Electric North American Operating Division announced that its Square D® molded case circuit breaker manufacturing facility in Columbia, Mo., was recognized by Plant Engineering magazine as a winner of its Top Plant award. 02/10/09

Stimulus Legislation Enacted with NEMA Provisions
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HR 1) that President Obama signed into law yesterday contains significant tax, investment, and spending provisions impacting energy efficiency, Smart Grid, health information technology, and infrastructure projects, all of which were endorsed by NEMA. 02/18/09

NEMA Urges NARUC to Support Transmission Construction
During its annual winter meeting in Washington D.C., the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will consider a resolution to support current federal policy on interstate transmission line siting. 02/13/09